Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9:1

And the Lord shall deliver me. In the future as in the past. From every evil work. From evil doers.

Hebrews 9:2

Salute Prisca and Aquila. These tried friends, whom he first met in Corinth, afterwards in Ephesus, who returned also to Rome, were now again in Ephesus. The household of Onesiphorus. See 2 Timothy 1:16. Some have thought that this form implies that Onesiphorus was dead, but that does not follow necessarily.

Hebrews 9:3

Erastus abode at Corinth. Probably his old home (Romans 16:23). Trophimus. He was an Ephesian (Acts 20:4 21:29). Have I left at Miletum sick. These personal details were better understood by Timothy than by us, but I suppose this statement is made to explain why Trophimus was not in Rome. This verse proves that this letter does not belong to the date of Paul’s first imprisonment, since years have passed between Paul’s last visit to Miletus and the first Roman imprisonment.

Hebrews 9:4

Come before winter. He could not come in the winter because navigation was suspended. Eubulus. Not before mentioned. It is probable that all these were Roman brethren. Prudens. He is thought to have been a Roman senator, from data secured outside the New Testament. Linus. A Linus appears as a bishop of Rome not many years later. Claudia. It has been argued that this lady was the daughter of a British king, and the wife of Prudens. See Conybeare and Howson.

Hebrews 9:5

The second [epistle] unto Timotheus. Shortly after this Epistle was written, within a few months at most, Paul had his second hearing, was sentenced to death by execution, was led out of the city at the Ostian Gate to a place called the Three Fountains, and there was beheaded. At least all early tradition, and the Fathers, among them Clement, one of his companions, support this view.

Hebrews 9:7

That the man of God. The preacher. See 1 Timothy 6:11 1 Kings 13:1 2 Kings 6:6. May be perfect. Fully fitted for his work. The sense is “complete” (Revised Version). Thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Fully equipped. If he is master of the Holy Scriptures, he is so equipped. If this was true when Paul wrote, with only a part of the New Testament written, with what emphasis may it be said now when we have both the Old Testament and New Testament in full!

Hebrews 9:8

Directions to Titus SUMMARY OF TITUS 1: Why Titus Was Left. The Qualifications of Elders. False Teachers Who Must Be Stopped. The Character of Cretans. Condition of the Cretan Church. Paul, a servant of God. Paul usually calls himself a “servant of Christ”. James uses the form here (James 1:1). According to the faith of God’s elect. His apostleship looked to the promotion of the faith of God’s elect. And the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness. Bringing men to acknowledge the truth.

Hebrews 9:9

In hope of eternal life. All his work as an apostle was in hope, etc.

Hebrews 9:10

Manifested his word. God has manifested the eternal life promised by his word in the gospel.

Hebrews 9:11

To Titus, [my] own son. Concerning Titus, see topic 9253. The language here shows that he was one of Paul’s converts.

Hebrews 9:12

For this cause left I thee. Paul had then been in Crete, attended by Titus, and had left him there to set the churches in order. In Crete. The things that are wanting. Not only in organization, but in instruction and practice. Ordain. “Appoint” (Revised Version). The mode of appointing is not here indicated. Elders. See notes on 1 Timothy 3:1-6. In every city. A plurality were to be appointed wherever there were churches.

Hebrews 9:13

If any be blameless. The appointment is conditioned on finding the right kind of men. For a discussion of the qualifications, see notes on 1 Timothy 3:1-6.

Hebrews 9:14

For a bishop. An elder and bishop were then different names for the same office. See PNT 1 Timothy 3:1. Must be. Unless he has these traits he must not be appointed. Blameless. No charge against him. Compare and see notes on 1 Timothy 3:2-3.

Hebrews 9:15

A lover of hospitality. See PNT 1 Timothy 3:2.

Hebrews 9:16

Holding fast the faithful word. Sound in the gospel doctrine, and able to teach it to others, as well as to refute opposers.

Hebrews 9:17

There are many disorderly and vain talkers. The last sentence suggests to Paul to speak of the Cretan errorists. The allusions to the false teachers show that the Epistle belongs to the closing years of the apostle’s life. And deceivers, specially of the circumcision. Jews, perhaps Judaizing Christians who had so troubled the Gentile churches. See the Galatian letter.

Hebrews 9:18

Whose mouths must be stopped. Muzzled. The way to stop them is for the churches to refuse to hear them. All false teachers, or bad men, should now be stopped from preaching in the same way. Who subvert whole houses. Subvert their faith.

Hebrews 9:19

One of themselves. Of the Cretans. A prophet of their own. A Cretan sage, seer and teacher, Epimenides by name, who lived about 500 B.C. The Cretans [are] always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. The hard testimony of his countrymen is quoted from a poem now lost.

Hebrews 9:20

This witness is true. Paul’s observations confirmed it. So do many ancient writers. “Cretize” (Cretanize) became a slang phrase for lying. Wherefore rebuke them sharply. Their bad conduct must be sharply rebuked until the gospel so transforms them that they will become “sound in the faith”.

Hebrews 9:21

Jewish fables. See PNT 1 Timothy 1:4. Commandments of men. Commandments which are only the traditions of men, additions to God’s ordinances. See Mr 7:4,8.

Hebrews 9:22

Unto the pure all things are pure. In the “Jewish fables” just referred to (Titus 1:14) were rigid regulations concerning foods and purifications. Hence Paul adds, “It is not food that makes one impure. To the pure all things are pure. When one is unbelieving and defiled, no food can make him pure”. See notes on Romans 14:14 1 Corinthians 8:4-8.

Hebrews 9:23

They profess that they know God. These teachers of Jewish fables and carnal ordinances profess to know and serve God, yet their immoral lives are a denial of him.

Hebrews 9:25

Practical Duties Versus Unsound Doctrine SUMMARY OF TITUS 2: Duties of the Aged. Of the Young Men and Women. Of Servants. Christian Life. Christian Hope. Speak . . . sound doctrine. Instead of inculcating Jewish fables and speculations, impart healthy teaching; teach practical duties.

Hebrews 9:26

That the aged men be sober. Not given to wine. We must keep in mind that the converts had recently been given to healthy vices. Temperate. Exhibiting self-control. Sound in faith. True believers. In patience. Steadfastly persevering.

Hebrews 9:27

The aged women likewise. One general rule is given, in effect that they seek holy lives. Not false accusers. Not given to slander, and insinuations of evil, a fault by no means uncommon among certain classes of women. Teachers of good things. Both by example and precept. How beautiful is an aged Christian woman of saintly life!

Hebrews 9:28

That they may teach. A special mission is to teach the young women. What they were to be taught follows.